Baby Giraffe 'Beau' Born At Philadelphia Zoo June 10

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Zoo has a new member of its family, as a baby giraffe was born at the zoo recently.

Parent giraffes Stella and Gus welcomed son Beau on June 10. Beau is Stella and Gus' second baby, as they had Abigail in 2010.

Baby Beau made his public debut Tuesday, June 19 and is currently on exhibit in the African Plains area.

While Beau is out in the public, he and Stella, 17 years old, have the choice of being in their outdoor exhibit or their indoor barn, so they may spend some time out of public sight.

Male giraffes do not have a direct role in caring for newborns and for now Gus, 12 years old, will live apart from the baby. Once the baby is a bit older, Gus will rejoin the group.

"We’ve been looking forward to a giraffe birth for more than a year," said Dr. Andy Baker, the Zoo’s Chief Operating Officer. "The giraffe is one of the most iconic animals in the world, and unfortunately now among the threatened. Recently listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the number of giraffe is in steady decline with threats including poaching and habitat destruction. This new calf reminds us how important it is to take action for wildlife."

Beau was measured at 5 feet, 7 inches tall when he was born. He could reach up to 18-feet and weigh up to 3,000 pounds, according to the zoo.

A baby giraffe nurses for several months or longer before transitioning to an adult herbivorous diet which includes browse.

Giraffes are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with scientists estimating there are fewer than 100,000 surviving in the wild.

Issues facing giraffes include poaching and habitat destruction. Recent studies suggest that there may be several different giraffe species, with some species at high conservation risk.

A previous version of the story listed Stella and Gus' ages incorrectly. Patch regrets the error.

Image via Philadelphia Zoo